Author: Patrick O'Donnell

COVER STORY

Planned gifts have long sustained the Wisconsin Humane Society, from the 1926 bequest that built Milwaukee’s first animal shelter to the expanded strategies used today. By integrating digital tools, hosting creative events like “Lattes & Legacies,” and stewarding legacy donors through Buster’s Legacy Society, WHS has streamlined estate gift management and built deeper donor trust—fueling a program that helps 13,000+ animals each year.

COVER STORY

It started with a simple plan: give back to the medical school in India where they met. The San Francisco Bay Area couple—both busy physicians—initially intended to gift $150,000 to a one-time project benefitting the Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College (GOSUMEC) in Mumbai, India.

COVER STORY

The U.S. Navy SEALs can trace their roots back to World War II, and have played critical roles in almost every conflict the United States has been involved with since. As the Navy’s primary special operations force, SEALs have a long history of performing high-stakes operations, including rescuing hostages and eliminating dangerous terrorists. They are world-renowned as elite warriors who never back down.

COVER STORY

Coal Creek Meals on Wheels has grown pretty significantly, and philanthropy has been a big driver in that growth. Our contributed revenue budget has doubled over the last four years, and that’s in large part been due to an increase in individual donors.

COVER STORY

Creating and maintaining a donor-centric culture within a nonprofit organization is essential for fostering strong, lasting relationships with donors and ensuring the long-term success of fundraising efforts.

COVER STORY

I was involved in fundraising informally from an early age, collecting for UNICEF and distributing food and clothing at shelters. In my late 20s, when my best friend contracted leukemia, I became more engaged in community giving, organizing blood drives and fundraising for research. After his passing, I pursued a graduate degree and began working full-time in fundraising, starting with reforestation and environmental initiatives in Armenia.

COVER STORY

I learned so much from my theater days. Having done both scene work with a script in front of me and improv with no script, I recommend writing a “script” before going into any major donor meetings. For me, that script is usually a bullet-point list of topics that I want to cover and important information about the donor and their giving history. Having a “practice” conversation with a friend or colleague beforehand is really helpful too.

COVER STORY

The most powerful tool in a fundraising professional’s arsenal is the ability to share stories of transformation. This allows the nonprofit to connect the donor to the cause and inspire them to take action. Authenticity in storytelling is essential for creating meaningful connections between donors and the mission.